PUBLIC INTERVENTION ON DOUBLE ATTACK (ARSON AND THREAT) AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS NGOs ON 22 MARCH 2018

March 23, 2018

DYYAD – INTERVENTION ON THE ACT OF ARSON AT THE OFFICES OF THE AFGΗAN COMMUNITY OF MIGRANTS   AND REFUGEES AND THE THREAT ON THE HELLENIC LEAGUE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights Defenders Support Network, a joint venture of the Hellenic Action for Human Rights “Pleiades” and Lawyers Without Borders, was informed from accurate sources that a day after the “day for the elimination of racial discriminations”, on 22/03/2018, an act of arson took place on the 5th floor of the apartment building where the Community of Afghan Migrants and Refuges is located.

The attack caused significant damages but thankfully no injuries, while just before the attack people were present, little children among them.

It should be noted that it is not the first time that this particular community was under attack. In 2011 it was targeted again.

Earlier on the same day, the Hellenic League for Human Rights, one of the oldest and more valid bodies of protecting human rights in the country, was under threat too.

The Racist Violence Recording Network announced its support to the members of both bodies, noting that other NGO members of the network have in the past been under threat and attacks because of defending human rights and fighting against racism.

The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency publicly denounced the incident regarding the Afghan Community and expressed concerns for similar attacks in the future.

The Human Rights Defenders Support Network:

- Records the double incident against the bodies that defend human rights, with no consequences for the perpetrators.

- Calls on the Greek Government to guarantee in practice to respect the “Declaration of the UN for Human Rights Defenders”

-In particular, calls on the Greek Government:

 (a) to ensure that such incidents are investigated by an independent, impartial and effective body, specialized on racial crime and on targeting of human rights defenders  (either people or communities and their members)

(b) to guarantee in every case that the defenders, in this case a body of human rights defenders and a body of migrants and refuges defenders, will be able to work and provide professionally specialized legal assistance without fear of retaliation, harassment and crimes against them.

(c) to ensure that the relevant authorities conduct a prompt and unbiased questioning or investigation into cases of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, without any undue and intended delays.

 (d) to legislate the incorporation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, utilizing the relevant Civil Society Model Law drawn up by the International Human Rights Agency and endorsed by a number of UN experts, translated and adapted to Greek, including special provisions for Lawyers, integrating the UN Basic Principles, by the Hellenic Action for Human Rights "Pleiades".